More Information

Bridge players unite to benefit hospice

Local bridge players hone their skills at the Bridge Center on South College Road. Bridge players seem to speak a language of their own. And on Nov. 3, they’ll be doing it to benefit Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter. Photo by Catherine Kimrey Breeden

By Catherine Kimrey BreedenContributed article

Published: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 11:17 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, October 29, 2013 at 11:17 p.m.

Bridge players are passionate about their game. Why is this so?

What is there to love about sitting silently around a small square table with three other people, drawing small “bid cards” from plastic boxes and placing those cards face up in front of you? Cards inscribed “one club,” “three no trump,” “double,” or something equally as ambiguous to the uninitiated.

Is this some kind of secret language? Actually it is, kind of. It’s an intricately structured lingo that bridge players use to arrive at a contract for the game itself. And only when the highly regimented bidding process is complete does the play of the bridge cards themselves begin.

For answers to why bridge, and the process involved in playing it, is so addictive, I went to Marie Killoran.

The Wilmington woman is a force of nature in the bridge world. She works for the American Contract Bridge League, the governing body for bridge in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda; and travels widely in connection with her responsibilities.

Killoran taught me to play bridge a year and a half ago. By doing so she changed my life for the better.

Killoran says that one of the primary reasons people love bridge is because it is mentally demanding. Every hand is different, and the challenge and anticipation never diminish.

Since full concentration is mandatory, she said, playing bridge forces you to put your troubles and worries aside temporarily. She has known people who have used bridge as a brief respite from such stressful situations as being a caregiver or dealing with the death of a loved one.

Another reason that people love bridge, according to Killoran, is that it provides a sense of camaraderie. In addition to interacting with bridge players locally, duplicate bridge players are members of a nationwide network that allows them to connect with fellow members of the ACBL and find a game where they will be welcome, wherever they travel.

Now that you know why bridge players are passionate people, I want you to know that bridge players are also compassionate people.

The local duplicate bridge group will hold a charity game at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Bridge Center, 127 S. College Rd., to benefit the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter.

The cost is $25, and reservations are required because the event often sells out.

Door prizes and refreshments will be provided.

For more information or to register, contact Killoran at 452-3057, or Laura Jones at 256-2073. Jones is a Wilmington bridge devotee who has been the driving force behind this charity event since its inception a decade ago. Through her efforts, bridge players have raised more than $100,000 for this very worthy cause.

Catherine Kimrey Breeden is a novelist, writer and bridge player who lives in Wilmington.

The StarNews welcomes and will consider publishing articles contributed by readers. They should be 400 words or less and accompanied by a good-quality photograph. Contact Community News Editor Si Cantwell at 343-2364 or si.cantwell@starnewsonline.com.

<p>Bridge players are passionate about their game. Why is this so?</p><p>What is there to love about sitting silently around a small square table with three other people, drawing small “bid cards” from plastic boxes and placing those cards face up in front of you? Cards inscribed “one club,” “three no trump,” “double,” or something equally as ambiguous to the uninitiated.</p><p>Is this some kind of secret language? Actually it is, kind of. It's an intricately structured lingo that bridge players use to arrive at a contract for the game itself. And only when the highly regimented bidding process is complete does the play of the bridge cards themselves begin.</p><p>For answers to why bridge, and the process involved in playing it, is so addictive, I went to Marie Killoran.</p><p>The Wilmington woman is a force of nature in the bridge world. She works for the American Contract Bridge League, the governing body for bridge in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Bermuda; and travels widely in connection with her responsibilities.</p><p>Killoran taught me to play bridge a year and a half ago. By doing so she changed my life for the better.</p><p>Killoran says that one of the primary reasons people love bridge is because it is mentally demanding. Every hand is different, and the challenge and anticipation never diminish.</p><p>Since full concentration is mandatory, she said, playing bridge forces you to put your troubles and worries aside temporarily. She has known people who have used bridge as a brief respite from such stressful situations as being a caregiver or dealing with the death of a loved one.</p><p>Another reason that people love bridge, according to Killoran, is that it provides a sense of camaraderie. In addition to interacting with bridge players locally, duplicate bridge players are members of a nationwide network that allows them to connect with fellow members of the ACBL and find a game where they will be welcome, wherever they travel.</p><p>Now that you know why bridge players are passionate people, I want you to know that bridge players are also compassionate people.</p><p>The local duplicate bridge group will hold a charity game at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 3, at the Bridge Center, 127 S. College Rd., to benefit the Lower Cape Fear Hospice & LifeCareCenter.</p><p>The cost is $25, and reservations are required because the event often sells out.</p><p>Door prizes and refreshments will be provided.</p><p>For more information or to register, contact Killoran at 452-3057, or Laura Jones at 256-2073. Jones is a Wilmington bridge devotee who has been the driving force behind this charity event since its inception a decade ago. Through her efforts, bridge players have raised more than $100,000 for this very worthy cause.</p><p>Catherine Kimrey Breeden is a novelist, writer and bridge player who lives in Wilmington.</p><p>The StarNews welcomes and will consider publishing articles contributed by readers. They should be 400 words or less and accompanied by a good-quality photograph. Contact Community News Editor <a href="http://www.starnewsonline.com/section/topic22"><b>Si Cantwell</b></a> at 343-2364 or si.cantwell@starnewsonline.com.</p>